On
defense Gerald Hayes is going to be yenz cole slaw on
top of the sandwich.

2002
Outlook

The
Panthers are riding a six game win streak
since closing out the 2001 campaign, which
also encompassed a nice Tangerine Bowl victory
over NC State. Head Coach Walt Harris has
been masterful since taking over in 1997,
as the Pitt program was suffering horribly
prior to his arrival. Steel City U. lost
some big rivets from last fall. When talking
about names like English, Bryant, Priestly,
Walker, and Knight, yenz have to consider
the losses to be more significant than somebody
else using up the last of the Heinz 57.
But there is some sauce left in the back
of the fridge, as 77% of the starters still
make their way back for another run. Fans
are aware of the feet on quarterback Rod
Rutherford, now if he can get the throwing
motions down, the Panthers might still be
able to stack more sweet pickles on top
the stack. The offensive line will be bigger
than a large order of fries from the Original
Hot Dog Shop. No way will defenders
be able to eat that much. But Rutherford
will need to locate some go-to guys on the
outside with his receivers in order to aid
his aerial maturity. On defense Gerald Hayes
is going to be yenz cole slaw on top of
the sandwich as he has stacked up over 254
career tackles. Obviously, locals will be
anxious to make sure the slow sluggish start
of 2001 doesn't haunt the Panthers once
again. The Texas A&M visit to Heinz
Field in just the second game is going to
put the equation to the test in some capacity.
Yenz definitely want to tune into that Iron
City tanker. At some point, thoughts will
have to evolve from being a third place
Big East team to a contender. There is as
much talent at some positions as almost
any team out there. The offense just needs
an identity and some consistency for a surge
to lift them past dreaming to doing. A third
straight bowl season is open for business.
As sure as Squirrel Hill tunnel traffic,
the Panthers will be there. With a little
quick chemistry, 2002 could become more.

Two
key weapons from 2001 - quarterback David Priestley
and wideout Antonio Bryant - are gone, but eight
returning starters lead the way on offense. Junior
quarterback Rod Rutherford is one of two candidates
at signal-caller. He completed 19-of-59 passes
for 262 yards and one touchdown in a limited role.
He also added a rushing component, posting 255
yards with six scores. Sophomore Pat Hoderny could
also earn the start. High school standouts Tyler
Palko and Luke Getsy will compete when arriving
in the fall.

The
backfield figures to be a key offensive strength.
Sophomore Raymond Kirkley was eighth in the BIG
EAST in rushing with 645 yards and three touchdowns.
The total is fifth among returning league backs.
Sophomore Marcus Furman had 5.8 yards per rush
in 01. Junior Lousaka Polite boasts two
years of starting experience at fullback. Sophomore
fullback Dustin Picciotti returns after redshirting
last year due to a concussion. Junior tailback
Brandon Miree, a transfer from Alabama, is eligible
for this season.

Senior
Lamar Slade has the most experience of the wide
receivers. He had 27 catches for 226 yards and
one touchdown as a reserve last year. Junior Yogi
Roth had 291 receiving yards on 11 receptions.
Sophomore Roosevelt Bynes has the Panthers excited
after showing flashes a season ago. Redshirt freshman
Joe Stephens may also be considered a target.
True freshman Larry Fitzgerald and junior college
transfer Princell Brockenbrough should also press
for time. Junior tight end Kris Wilson is back
after finishing fourth on the team with 19 receptions
for 272 yards (14.3-yard average).

The
entire offensive line is intact to play again
in 2002. Senior Chad Reed is the starting center.
He has been contributing since his freshman campaign.
Guards Bryan Anderson and Dan LaCarte will play
again. Anderson boasts 34 career starts, while
LaCarte showed promise in just his first year
on the line. Sophomore tackle Rob Petitti was
named Freshman All-America by The Sporting News
and Football News in 2001. Junior Matt Morgan
has two years of starting time at the other tackle
spot. Numerous backups will provide solid depth.

The
Panther strength on defense will be at linebacker,
as all three starters are back. Leading the way
is senior standout Gerald Hayes. A two-time All-BIG
EAST selection, he has logged over 200 tackles
the last two seasons, with back-to-back 100-stop
efforts. Junior Lewis Moore was fourth on the
team in tackles with 67 and earned Defensive MVP
honors in the bowl game. Senior Brian Beinecke
is the other returning starter. During shared
time last year, he amassed 48 tackles and two
sacks. Sophomore Malcolm Postell moves over from
running back to join sophomore Mike Jemison and
redshirt freshmen Joe Dipre, J.J. Horne and Monroe
Weekley in providing depth.

Harris
has 10 lettermen back on the defensive front.
Seniors Brian Guzek and Ryan Smith shared starting
duties last season. Guzek had 48 tackles, including
11 for loss. Smith fought through a shoulder injury
to post 33 stops and three sacks. Junior defensive
end Claude Harriott is the leading candidate to
replace All-BIG EAST First Team choice Bryan Knight.
At tackle, sophomore Tyre Young started the final
seven games a year ago. Junior defensive tackle
Darrell McMurray is a leader for the other starting
nod. Sophomores Dan Stephens and Troy Banner and
redshirt freshmen Vince Crochunis and Jake Holthaus
will compete for time.

The
secondary took a hit when junior all-conference
safety Ramon Walker departed for the NFL. Five
lettermen - including four with starting experience
- return at cornerback. Senior Torrie Cox had
48 tackles (37 solo) and 11 pass break-ups in
2001. Junior Shawntae Spencer led the BIG EAST
with 18 passes defended, tying a school-record
set by senior teammate Shawn Robinson two years
ago. Robinson and junior William Ferguson will
push hard for game action. Senior safeties Gary
Urschler and junior Corey Humphries both saw solid
playing time behind Walker the last couple of
years. Sophomore Tyrone Gilliard and redshirt
freshmen Darren McCray and Tez Morris are also
available.

PITTSBURGH
2002 DEPTH CHARTReturning Starters in Bold

DEFENSE

DE

Brian
Guzek-Sr

Ryan
Smith-Sr

NT

Tyre
Young-So

Jake
Holthaus-So

DT

Dan
Stephens-So

Darrell
McMurray-Jr

DE

Claude
Harriott-Jr

Thomas
Smith-Fr

SLB

Lewis
Moore-Jr

Mike
Jemison-So

MLB

Gerald
Hayes-Sr

Joe
Dipre-Fr

WLB

Brian
Beinecke-Sr

Malcolm
Postell-So

CB

Shawntae
Spencer-Jr

Taron
Gray-Sr

CB

Torrie
Cox-Sr

Shawn
Robinson-Sr

SS

Tyrone
Gilliard-So

Darren
McCray-Fr

FS

William
Ferguson-Jr

Tez
Morris-Fr

P

Andy
Lee-Jr

Jay
Junko-Sr

..

The
backfield has improved to become a key offensive
strength with sophomore Raymond Kirkley. - (AP
Photo/Ted S. Warren)